CACHSF Unity Befriending Project

CACHSF UNITY BEFRIENDING PROJECT reaching out to members of the community during COVID and Lockdown.

CACHSF and Suffolk Black Community Forum have been working in collaboration to plan and deliver Befriending Services to members of the community who are most vulnerable at this time of the COVID pandemic and the lockdown.

The aim of the project is to support those feeling isolated, worried or anxious at this time, to offer a listening ear, support and guidance.Volunteers of the project are: Clem Turner, Jennie James, Nia Gittens, Shirley Powell, Imani Sorhaindo, Elvira St Croix, Carmel Hamley, and we are still looking for additional volunteers who have active listening skills, a few hours to spare each week, and a lived experience culturally.

So far, 15 members have reached out with requests for this culturally-appropriate Befriending service, and they are getting weekly support. The funding from Suffolk Community Foundation has enabled CACHSF and SBCF to reach out to the African and Caribbean community during these times of need, and it has been that our experienced volunteers are there to assist anyone aged 50+ who may need support. The project has also been signposting to the BME Support Forum, which provides culturally appropriate food parcels to those most in need in the community, ad this has been a great help to elders on low income who have not been eating well.

The project also has been able to extend the Dice and Spice Caribbean meal delivery service which takes place on Wednesdays and Sundays, offering tasty, hot Caribbean meals to those who need to purchase this.

For more information contact: Imani (Project coordinator) on: 07909 516 343 or Clem Turner on: 07507 255251

ALWAYS THERE TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY WITH HEALTH AND WELL-BEING NEEDS!